Northampton Fire Chief Quits

Council Splits

A letter of resignation from Northampton Fire Chief Bruce Schmoyer resulted last night in a shouting match between council members and Borough Manager Carl DiCello.

DiCello angrily denounced Schmoyer's letter and said he was looking out for what is best for the borough when he spoke to Schmoyer about a possible conflict of interest.

Schmoyer sells fire equipment and has sold equipment to the Northampton Fire Department.

DiCello spoke to the borough solicitor, Clayton Hyman, and then to Schmoyer about the alleged conflict. Hyman told DiCello that Schmoyer no longer should sell to the borough while he is chief.

Schmoyer, in his letter, said DiCello "feels there will be a conflict of interest of myself being the fire chief and selling fire equipment."

DiCello said that, when he spoke to Schmoyer, he was doing his job and would only do his job "to the limit."

"I've reached the limit of taking grief," DiCello said. "You will have to decide if you want to keep me. If I serve, I will serve to the limit of the ordinance."

Council President Thomas Reenock told council he spoke to Schmoyer, the third borough fire chief to resign since December, and "almost kissed his butt to stay." Reenock said Schmoyer is antagonized and said he did not resign from the department, but resigned only as chief.

Reenock, responding to an earlier outburst, when Councilman Edward Daumer told him his job is to lead the meeting, said, "I live in this borough. I tried. The next time someone opens their mouth, the police chief will arrest them. I make the rules. You listen to me, all of you."

Daumer wound up shouting at Reenock when Reenock brought up the electrical repairs done at restrooms in the borough parks. Reenock said the $400 spent was too high and questioned the work done.

Daumer told Reenock said that, as council president, he is to merely conduct the meeting. "You have no authority," Daumer said. "Read the code. Your job is to conduct the meeting, not to tell us what to do. We sit here to legislate; you conduct the meeting."

Reenock, as president, frequently discusses items and gives council suggestions before votes are taken.

Reenock told council to wait before accepting Schmoyer's resignation, so the fire committee and Schmoyer could meet.

In his letter, Schmoyer wrote, "All the time and effort I put into the fire department as an officer doesn't mean a thing. Now, someone else is going to have to worry about fires and men at the scene." He said the chief's salary is not sufficient to pay for gasoline, schools and training. The chief receives $1,500 annually.

Schmoyer also said in the letter that he did not think there would be a conflict, because there had been none in the past. DiCello said that, in the past, a senior officer approved the purchases.

The borough dump will be open from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays for borough residents todispose of grass and clippings. These items will no longer be picked up with trash collections. The grass and clippings must be removed from bags when disposed of at the borough dump.